So, this is it: arguably the most important league game of the season. Liverpool need a BIG win to keep the pressure on Manchester City, and although the title is not longer in the club's hands, it's still mathematically possible. Can the Reds do it?
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Johnson, Flanagan, Skrtel, Sakho, Gerrard, Allen, Lucas, Sterling, Sturridge, Suarez
SUBS: Jones, Toure, Agger, Coutinho, Aspas, Moses, Cissokho
PALACE: Speroni, Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Ledley, Bolasie, Puncheon, Chamakh
Coutinho on the bench, and Lucas/Allen in the same team again? It's an overly cautious line-up, which contains only four players capable of making a specific, measurable attacking impact.
Additionally, Coutinho and Sturridge have a great understanding, and Rodgers should've exploited that today. Instead, he's sacrificed creativity and dynamism for defensiveness, in a game that LFC have to be by a big margin.
Are Lucas and Allen going to pick up the slack?! No chance. And don't give me this 'recycling possession' nonsense - how is that going to help LFC score lots of goals?
Rodgers has confirmed that Coutinho 'has a bit of a problem', but that's never stopped the manager using 'injured' players in the past. If he's injured, why risk him on the bench? Additionally, in his press conference on Friday, Rodgers said nothing about Coutinho's alleged injury.
Predicting a 1-1 draw, Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson warned the Reds to expect a 'very difficult game', adding:
"Liverpool need a lift after their defeat against Chelsea last week, when they looked leggy in the last 20 minutes. It will be a big ask for them to raise their game at the end of a long season when they are tired mentally and physically and can see the title slipping away".
I can't see Liverpool winning this with a big scoreline. Rodgers should've gone for the throat, and then changed things later if necessary. Instead, he's played right into Man City's hands.
Of course, I hope am proven wrong :-)
Author: Jaimie K
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Johnson, Flanagan, Skrtel, Sakho, Gerrard, Allen, Lucas, Sterling, Sturridge, Suarez
SUBS: Jones, Toure, Agger, Coutinho, Aspas, Moses, Cissokho
PALACE: Speroni, Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Ledley, Bolasie, Puncheon, Chamakh
Coutinho on the bench, and Lucas/Allen in the same team again? It's an overly cautious line-up, which contains only four players capable of making a specific, measurable attacking impact.
Additionally, Coutinho and Sturridge have a great understanding, and Rodgers should've exploited that today. Instead, he's sacrificed creativity and dynamism for defensiveness, in a game that LFC have to be by a big margin.
Are Lucas and Allen going to pick up the slack?! No chance. And don't give me this 'recycling possession' nonsense - how is that going to help LFC score lots of goals?
Rodgers has confirmed that Coutinho 'has a bit of a problem', but that's never stopped the manager using 'injured' players in the past. If he's injured, why risk him on the bench? Additionally, in his press conference on Friday, Rodgers said nothing about Coutinho's alleged injury.
Predicting a 1-1 draw, Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson warned the Reds to expect a 'very difficult game', adding:
"Liverpool need a lift after their defeat against Chelsea last week, when they looked leggy in the last 20 minutes. It will be a big ask for them to raise their game at the end of a long season when they are tired mentally and physically and can see the title slipping away".
I can't see Liverpool winning this with a big scoreline. Rodgers should've gone for the throat, and then changed things later if necessary. Instead, he's played right into Man City's hands.
Of course, I hope am proven wrong :-)
Author: Jaimie K
Not much worried as its over now but really after this BR deserves the manager of the year award. To play on this night lucas allen together and leave cou on bench is outstanding.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding? Are you having a laugh?
ReplyDeleteI would have gone with Coutinho over Lucas but there must be reasons why Rodgers has gone with this lineup which we will not know of.
ReplyDeleteI just want us to take 3 points!
Doesn't Jamie K write some crap. Since when did he become a more successful manager than BR. How does your track record Jamie compare with BR. How many points have you gained in the premier league this season.
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of Lucas and Allen in the same team. I really wish Hendo was back.
ReplyDeleteLFC twitter account said BR confirmed Coutinho has a slight injury too.
ReplyDeleteWhy are people still questioning the manager???
ReplyDeleteAnd who are we to know better of who should start and who shouldn't. Maybe it is best to leave the job to the real manager ;-)
ReplyDeleteLucas is a liability end off, cannot tackle, cannot score, too slow......passenger 57!!
ReplyDeleteShows BR's midfield lacks depth and will hopefully add some quality in the summer.
really missing hendo
ReplyDeleteBrendan has just confirmed that Coutinho is injured
ReplyDeleteyou have just posted tino over lucas ?
ReplyDeleteBut Jaimie will say he's lying
ReplyDeleteDid you read my original post properly???
ReplyDeleteDo u really think,we can become champions on GD?Honestly I don't see it happening,and Rodgers is thinking on similar lines and he is looking for a win here.Logically thinking,I can understand that.
ReplyDeletei dont read any posts properly
ReplyDeleteNow go read my second post in reply to Jonathan Capozzola.
ReplyDeleteCoutinho is not fit enough to start.BR just confirmed that in his pre- match interview.
ReplyDeleteWe need a bit of a reality check if we think we're going to make up the nine goal difference on city. We need to just concentrate on winning the game to put pressure back on City. I'll take a 1.0 right now.
ReplyDeleteCoutinho has an injury. Maybe you should reconsider some of your bold statements.
ReplyDeleteIf he's on the bench then he's fit enough to play.
ReplyDeleteAgree 100%. Making up 9 goals in two games is a huge, almost impossible, ask. Lets just get 3 points.
ReplyDeleteSturridge was on the bench last week and managed 30 minutes of very uninspiring football. On the bench doesn't always mean you are fit to start or contribute to your full capabilities.
ReplyDeletejust what we need ...bring on an injured player when your chasing the game
ReplyDeleteWrong. For example Sturridge was on the bench last week but was clearly not fit enough to play
ReplyDeleteespecially with two goal machines like allen and lucas
ReplyDeleteA slightly injured Coutinho is still the best attacking option we have on the bench
ReplyDeleteand he was garbbage
ReplyDeleteSturridge was injured for a couple of weeks, and wasn't match fit. Coutinho played the full 90 mins last week, and clearly is match-fit. Plus, when asked about injuries during his friday press conference. Rodgers didn't say anything about Coutinho. Something must've happened over the last two days, which seem unlikely, unless it's a training injury.
ReplyDeletewho says hes slightly injured has he bit his tongue...a footballer with a leg injury is as much use as a chocolate fire guard
ReplyDeleteExactly. If he's injured, why is he on the bench?
ReplyDeleteThere had to have been some injury as was just confirmed. After playing most of the season to out-score opponents by starting the most attacking team at his disposal, he would hardly revert to a defensive posture in the only game of the season where we had to get a cricket score, unless it was enforced.
ReplyDeleteBR has shown he's not afraid to make changes at any point of the game so let's just see how it goes.
ReplyDeletei was going to say he could of gone with Alberto and aspoas
ReplyDeleteSturridge didn't look like he could even handle 30 minutes last week. Unfortunately failures in the transfer market came back to bit them last week. I am just wondering though, do you think BR is lying or do you think Coutinho picked up a training injury?
ReplyDeleteFinally! You will never hear the end of this, Jaimie :)
ReplyDeleteJOOOOOOEEEE ALLLLLEN!!
ReplyDeletewho had it?......
NOT me!
SAY WHAT!?!?
ReplyDeleteLogan scored!!! Sorry Allen,,
ReplyDeletehahahahahaaha
ReplyDeleteOh god. Logan will be living off that goal for the rest of time now. God help us.
ReplyDeleteWe could be three or four or more up by now, too, it's a great performance so far.
ReplyDeleteBrendan Rodgers does not know what he is doing!!!
ReplyDeleteat the beginning of the season i had a bet with jason carr, that allen will get more than 7 goals/assist this season... only 5 left! come on joe you're my boy!
ReplyDeleteAnd no, I do not have to go bragging about Allen scoring but it sure puts a sock in his naysayers for once
ReplyDeleteI think his posting regularity is inversely proportional to our success.
ReplyDeleteI like Joe Allen as well :)
ReplyDeleteMignolet on fire
ReplyDeleteMignolet is on fire!
ReplyDeleteYou red my mind :-o
ReplyDeleteThou Shall not get through!
ReplyDeleteBeat you. Blahh. Are you my twin?
ReplyDeleteOnly De Gea can really fly like Mignolet in the Premier League. He looks so spectacular when he takes off.
ReplyDeleteAspas has feet?
ReplyDeleteHahaha. You like Allen as well :)
ReplyDeleteWill someone please get that blue shit off the pitch. I'm sure it's going to cost us a goal, a la the beachball!
ReplyDeleteJohnson gets worse by the minute.
ReplyDeleteNothing Suarez has done today has come off. Form is such a mysterious thing.
ReplyDelete1 in 51 that guys prolific
ReplyDeletesuarez playing with divers boots
ReplyDeletecome off it more like the second
ReplyDeleteOh!! boy. We needed this Sturridge against chelsea
ReplyDeleteOn your bike Mourinho.
ReplyDeletecommon, only 7 goals to go!
ReplyDeleteFlood gates are starting to open!
ReplyDeletenow 6!!!
ReplyDelete3!! and Counting..
ReplyDeleteSo how is this overly defensive formation working out?
ReplyDelete1 goal away from 100 for the season.
ReplyDeleteC'mon 20 mins of arsenal game!
ReplyDeleteI'm watching a pretty decent game of football really. All credit to Pulis and Palace for continuing to make this a game even though they're 3-0 down. It's nice when both teams show up for a game. And contrary to Pulis' Stoke, this team doesn't appear to be a team of thugs and kickers.
ReplyDeleteThe odds of us overturning the goal difference wre probably 1000000/1. Whereas Cityx dropping points in one oftheir games, probably 5/1.
ReplyDeleteThe amazing thing is that really, this *could* have been just about 10-0 to us. It really could.
ReplyDeleteIt's also clear what Kono would bring to the squad. Sterling still has some work to do before he is near that level. Cannot shoot with power and takes too many touches inside the box...and he's off...
ReplyDeleteI don't know. They have Suarez about enough.
ReplyDeleteoh ffs..
ReplyDeletefuck just take the 3 points!
ReplyDeleteWtf
ReplyDeleteFook just take the 3 points
ReplyDeleteWell of course they cannot just let us play but it's not what this team is all about. With Stoke, that's all there was. And they're worse now under Hughes...who is of course the worst manager in the league since Bryan Robson
ReplyDeleteExactly
ReplyDeleteWell at least we know why we concede so many goals...
ReplyDeletethis will go in... they are slaughtering us
ReplyDeleteCome on boys. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteAnd we're back to being wasteful, falling over and moaning..
ReplyDeleteOh god, the script is now written. Tom Ince will probably score/create a goal, and punish LFC for not signing him.
ReplyDeleteAnd we bring on Victor Moses...
ReplyDeletewtf is the point of taking off sturridge? Ridiculous substitution.
ReplyDeleteLiverpool formation this season:
ReplyDelete--------
-------- -------- ------- ------
-------
Gerrard
Gun factory
Speechless.
ReplyDeleteI cast iron guarantee city will draw now
ReplyDeletewell...if you play like this, you don't deserve to win the league. Simple as that.Palace got exactly what they deserved for staying in the game. All credit to them
ReplyDeleteThis is the Palace 4-3 game from 1999 all over again...
ReplyDelete5 fing minutes
ReplyDeletethats is what you call bottling it
ReplyDeleteHow on earth can you control a game for 80 minutes, create chance after chance after chance and still throw it all away??? Cowards.
ReplyDeleteCowards? Get a grip mate.
ReplyDeleteI think we can lay to rest the myth that Allen and Lucas = defensively solid.
ReplyDeletesterling off they score 3
ReplyDeleteThat's what they played like
ReplyDeletewhen your trying to score can someone explain why you take your two best strikers off
ReplyDeletecongrats people on the jinx when they kept repeating that the title was one after man city ;)
ReplyDeleteJesus all those people talking about goal difference. Fucking stupid
ReplyDeleteShould've been sturridge there to take that shot, not Moses.
ReplyDeleteYes, good point. Utterly ridiculous. Yet both Allen and Lucas stay on.
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable - I'm off.
ReplyDeleteRonnie still in his seat and Liverpool on their arse. What a crap night of sport.
ReplyDeleteSuarez crying.
ReplyDeleteNaievity, just take the 3 points... What's the point on leaving a defence so open even when your 3-0 up.. Disrespectful to palace at home who have played excellently under pulis
ReplyDeletethats what u call bottling it. we deserve to be laughed at.
ReplyDeleteGerrard, sorry for your teammates
ReplyDeletewe took our strikers off we posed no threat so they attacked ...sheer genius
ReplyDeletedo you know the definition of the word ? the defense blow it i don't know what cowardice has to do with it.
ReplyDeleteSturridge wouldn't have closed out the counter beforehand. Moses did.
ReplyDeletehe wasn't brilliant today either.
ReplyDeleteOf course he's crying, he scores 31 goals in a season and only because he has to play with a bunch of incompetent group of rubbish defenders and goalkeeper does he not lift the title this year
ReplyDeletewe can lay rest the myth that allen and lucas are any good
ReplyDeleteCan't believe we still went all out after leading 3-0. I mean who realisticaly thought we could catch up that +9 goal difference with City?
ReplyDeleteWhat we needed most today was 3 points and our pure arrogance has prevented us from that
he just doesn't deserve this
ReplyDeleteOur defence is an absolute disgrace. What a disgrace. 3 goals like that. Against f**king palace. Palace. WIth 10 minutes left
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolute farce. Coutinho coming on f**cked us Jaimie, not the ohter way around. I'm just lost for words. Our attacking players deserve to bloody whip our defenders. Suarez does all that hard f**king work and the defence just bottles it.
sssshhhhh don't let them realise that Sturridge was exhausted they need a reason to moan other than jinxing it times after times after times.
ReplyDeletetrue
ReplyDeleteJordan Henderson's price tag just went up by £4mill and he didnt even play. Missed him badly.
ReplyDeletewhy not you reap what you sow in life
ReplyDeleteThat from the second they scored 3-2, we lost every duel in defense because they pulled out and just let them run at us. They played like a bunch of girls. Other than Skrtel and Flanagan every bloody defender in this squad should be sold
ReplyDeletehe's inelligible due to the red card against manc
ReplyDeletesako is rubbish hes an hospital pass waiting to happen 5m player tops
ReplyDeleteGary Neville's full of shit. We scored 100 goals in the league this season. We're going nowhere. Concede five or six goals fewer and we'd be clear at the top. And the league isn't done yet. City still have to get results in both games.
ReplyDeleteCant believe it Palace geez.
ReplyDeleteyep Mignolet toally at fault for glen own goal and skrtel disapearance on the other 2...
ReplyDeleteSkrtel has cost 2 goal today...
ReplyDeletehe just once slipped... that cost him his dream
ReplyDeletethe answer is we were not trying to score anymore but keep our advantage. But it was too late. We should have done it at 3-0
ReplyDeletedo u seriously think the results of those 2 games are in doubt? i know its not over till its over but come on.
ReplyDeleteits inches not yards which define winners
ReplyDeleteyeah I know Kev. I'm just pointing out how important his game is to us. Lucas jogs, Gerrard jogs and Henderson sprints. Defensively our midfield ceased operations after our third.
ReplyDeletewell they lose one and it's on but realistically after today's result they'll be in a to good mood to blow it
ReplyDeleteWhy Skrtel, did you come out like that!?? Still had the old scew up left in you didn't you!
ReplyDeleteWhy do you blame Skrtel? What about Sakho? Is he not a central defender too? Why does he escape blame? Sakho is the problem, not Skrtel. It's no surprise that those two have just one clean sheet together all season. Compare that with Skrtel/Agger, and there's a big difference.
ReplyDeletewe took are threat off to counter attack that why they poured forward ....im sorry but for me Gerrard Allen and Lucas need to be put out to pasture ..next year sterling hendo and a new guy in midfield
ReplyDeleteCoward is a fitting word in fact...No one stood up to be counted, they just collapsed.
ReplyDeleteStill can't believe it was possible the blow it that much... some heads will fall this summer for sure
ReplyDeleteThe same ol' question will bother us again for the next few weeks "will suarez stay"
ReplyDeleteNo, I'm not having that.
ReplyDelete£3m tops.
...HOW DID MOSES MISS THAT BALL. SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN FFS! YOU'RE A TOP PAID PROFESSIONAL MATE. KICK IT.
ReplyDelete2m to an agent to get shut
ReplyDeleteim sorry... moses a professional???
ReplyDeleteJust speechless...
ReplyDeleteSkrtel going out of his line when he couldn't possibly get the ball let gayle get in a duel with mignolet and the second goal i literraly don't know where he was
ReplyDeletedoes anyone else get the feeling this team is cursed?
ReplyDeleteI don't think Coutinho is to blame for anything. Rodgers taking off Sterling and Sturridge was a big mistake. Plus, defensively, it was pants.
ReplyDeleteWell one thing's for sure:
ReplyDeleteAs long as Gerrard is playing.... he's unfortunately coursed... Won't see any title inside Anfield
agree jk i thought sako was the solution but hes rubbish skirtal and agger are poles better
ReplyDelete*cursed
ReplyDeleteSterling is a forward but yeah this midfield is rubbish, it's actually a miracle that we might finish second.
ReplyDeleteI feel like with 3 top additions over the summer (RB, LB and DM), we should be unstoppable next year. Weakness in those 3 spots this season has cost us. Oh, and BR needs to make a leader out of our CBs, it feels like they are never communicating.
ReplyDeleteBR hates losing or throwing points away, you can tell by what a bad sport he is in interviews if we do. Skrtel for all the improvements that he's made this season broke lines for the third goal and left a gaping hole. Where was the midfield? WHere was TOure or Agger? Three at the back would have closed it out
ReplyDeleteive said all year a midfield of allen lucas and gerrard is to slow ...no body picks the runners up they just jog back
ReplyDeleteI feel sick. Get Steve Clarke back I reckon. Sort outthis fucking defence
ReplyDeleteI agree, he should have taken off Suarez instead. Shouldn't have messed with the midfield so early. Sterling was doing a good job of tracking back and Suarez was giving the ball away too much.
ReplyDeleteAs long as Suarez stays, Gerrard will lift the trophy in the next 3 year's time.
ReplyDeleteLucas has dissapoint me big time in this match was REALLY useless, neot there defensively nor offensively
ReplyDeleteWhat a season. Who actually thought that we would be top of the League this with one match to play? We have pretty much blown it now but crazy thing is that it is still not over...
ReplyDeleteHe's a Chelsea boy... Just made an extra grand for missing that
ReplyDeleteHow the hell they couldnt defend out 10 minutes against Palace no wonder Suarez is upset.
ReplyDeleteI would have been happy with 4th, but being so so so close to winning it then throwing it away on a Gerrard slip-up and defensive f#*k up is just painful, I still have hope we will win it int he next 3 years.
ReplyDeletetrue, amazing season but really annoyed to let City get the title so "easily" instead of goal difference, finishing ahead of Chelsea would fell great.
ReplyDeleteLeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrroooooooooooyyyyyyyyyy Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnkkiiinns!
ReplyDeleteI mean Gleeeeeeeeennnnnnnnn Jooooooooooooooohnsonn!
Well that's it then. A mad ten minutes in defence and the season is finished. Been a great season but defensively poor, conceding nearly 50 goals in a season is shocking.
ReplyDeletePalace have conceded 6 fewer goals this season than Liverpool.
ReplyDeleteWe have 9th best defence. Says it all
ReplyDeleteThey have only scored 31 though.
ReplyDeleteI think we should announce the new manager for next season:
ReplyDeleteDavid Copperfield
He's the right man for the job!
Haha. Yes. Agent Moses. Job done.
ReplyDeleteJust took time out from vomiting to post that.
ReplyDeleteAaand back I go!
hes finished i was his biggest fan but the games moved on
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, with those kind of stats I'm not sure we deserve to be champions. Or in other words, it's absolutely normal if we're not.
ReplyDeleteYeah, our defence has been our downfall.
ReplyDeletetrust me you dont need to pay that chump to miss
ReplyDeleteahah more like "LIVERPOOL DEFENSSEEE" but yeah pretty much it.
ReplyDeleteand now Ronnies blown it too................. I blame the psychologist
ReplyDeleteRonnie just lost the snooker not a good day for our sports psych either!!
ReplyDeletewe don't already have him? look ! our defense has disapeared! ta da *magic*
ReplyDeletewatch out England Dr Steve Peters is coming!
ReplyDeleteReading all the comments today...I think its a bit harsh. We were hoping to finish in top 6 this season or maybe top 5 but we will finish 2nd and its a massive massive achievement. I am very proud of the lads...they made us dream for the title and gave their absolute everything. I feel for Gerrard. ..the guy has been so influential during his entire career and yet again played some of the best football he saved it for his new deep lying role. I hope the core of the team stays the same for the next season and hopefully we continue to challenge for years to come. Next year WE GO AGAIN...!!!!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. But 3-0 is 3-0.
ReplyDeleteYou need a nap
ReplyDeleteForgot to Praise Allen the silent killer for his solitary but decisive strike of the season
ReplyDeleteLooked at Suarezes reaction he has given his heart and soul just upsetting mate but yes we could dream.
ReplyDeleteUnforgivable.
ReplyDeleteIm more upset with how the lads just stopped playing when we were 3 up…we would break and no one would be in support. Can't remember how many times sterling was walking with the ball because nobody was doing anything. We missed enough chances as well to score 5 or 6 as well! Not sure where the lathargic attitude came from with our front men today because it really should have been more by then, but to your point, our defense lost us the league this season plain and simple. Embarassing performance all around...
ReplyDeleteIf you mean Moses then that's a change for the worse.The most disaster player I've seen in 40 years watching LFC,gutless,heartless.
ReplyDeleteBrendan Rodgers has done well but I'm not too confident he knows how to fix the defence.
ReplyDeletewtf you talking with yourself dude?
ReplyDeleterefresh your page happened the other day...names look like the same but are not
ReplyDeletewtf is wrong with disqus?
ReplyDeleteI'm upset too. But I believe the greatest lessons are learned from the most painful defeats, or draws.
ReplyDeletegood point.
ReplyDeleteWhile you're right this lesson has come too late...(though it was already there from the Norwich game but we got away with it so it clearly wasn't taken in)
ReplyDeleteMoses is a pee*or*eye*sea*quay.
ReplyDelete